MacKay tables Life Means Life act, says it’s not a death sentence

The Harper government introduced its tough-on-crime Life Means Life Act on Wednesday, which will deny the possibility of parole for crimes involving the killing of police or correctional officers; terrorism; kidnapping or sexual assault and crimes “of a particularly brutal nature.”

Speaking to reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons, Justice Minister Peter MacKay said, “As the name implies, this legislation would ensure that certain classes of criminals, those who commit the most serious crimes, will be subject to mandatory life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This means essentially they will take their last breath behind bars,” said MacKay.

The current maximum sentence for murder is 25 years. The new sentencing option, an October 2013 Throne Speech promise, is “not at all” a death sentence, MacKay told reporters.

“Parliament, as you know, took the decision I believe in 1976 to abolish the death penalty. There have been votes as recently as 1986 to revisit that. This is not a revisitation of capital punishment,” said MacKay.

But the official opposition party suggested the new legislation is simply a political move. NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said judges already have the power to declare someone a dangerous offender.

“This is more about Stephen Harper playing politics than it is any real issue,” said Mulcair.

It would apply to a “very narrow group” MacKay explained, including: first degree murder that is planned and premeditated, deliberate and is committed in the course of a sexual assault, a kidnapping related offence or a terrorist offence or involves the killing of a police officer or a correctional officer, or is deemed to be particularly brutal, said MacKay.

“A mandatory sentence of life without parole would also apply where murder is of a particularly brutal nature, and we are talking about crimes so horrific that they shock the conscience of our communities,” he continued.

That “narrow group” has not been defined, though. MacKay said the government has not been able to come up with a specific number in the current system that would have warranted this sentence—but they’re talking dozens, not hundreds.

1 comment on “MacKay tables Life Means Life act, says it’s not a death sentence”

“This is more about Stephen Harper playing politics than it is any real issue”. Convicts like Paul Bernardo have already received 25 years in prison before they’re eligible for parole, not automatically qualify for parole. This law is for the 30% brain dead con supporters who have a hard time understanding things unless it’s written down on paper and spelt out for them with little words so they’ll understand.